Antique Hatpin

[bob535]

Hello all. I have this hat pin that I was in the middle of listing, when i just felt like i needed more info about it before i listed on ebay, and this is my go to place when i can't find anything 

All I can tell you about it is that my grandma said it was really old. And it is a little over 6.5" long. So any help would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[waywardangler]

Bob, can't really tell what that hatpin looks like...the pics are too dark and blurry. I think you may be too close for your macro setting or you have it on auto and the lens is focusing on something beside the hatpin. It looks like a green jewel set in a filigree leaf setting from the Victorian era. All I can make out at this time.

[bob535]

Okay thanks wayward, let me grab some more pictures. Thanks for letting me know. 

[bob535]

I hope these are better, its the best my camera can do I tried many angles...lol

[waywardangler]

Let's try these...

[bob535]

Awesome thanks a lot!!   

[KC]

NICE PIN! 

If you have a magnifying glass....can you please take a look-see for any markings?

[bob535]

I will check now with a magnifying glass. Is there a certain place I should look for marks on hatpins? I did not see any without a glass.

[bob535]

I do not see any with the glass, anywhere on the pin. I can say that it seems to be cheaply made, but i don't know if that is because of the technology back then or not. I have never really encountered an old hat pin before to compare.

[waywardangler]

I have a book on stickpins but not hatpins. I would guess the 'holder' is a brass stamping (which was common) and the green jewel is glass but I would make sure it is not a real emerald before selling this. That would make a world of difference in the price. The shaft of the hatpin may be marked so look that over real close.

Check out Collectors Weekly hatpin page for more info ... http://www.collectorsweekly.com/fine-jewelry/hatpins

[bob535]

Wow now I don't know if I am ready to list it...lol. I don't know if the stone is real, or how to tell. I found some sites on how to determine if it is real or not, but I am second guessing myself now. I assume it is glass also, but now I want to know for sure.

I think you are correct about the holder, I believe it is stamped brass. I did not see any markings on the shaft either. 

[wendy177]

you would need to check the stone with a jewelers loop. Look for tiny, tiny  bubbles even just one will tell you it is glass.